QVI Inc Message

The QVI Management Committee would like to thank everyone for their continued support of the organisation.

QVI Inc Activities

A number of member organisations have agreed to support QVI, including the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), Guide Dogs Queensland, and the Optometrists Association Australia (QLD&NT). In addition, Vision Australia have also pledged $5,000. There was a common determination by sponsors that the QVI had done too much, and come too far, to let the initiative slip away.

On June 24 2010, QVI will be presenting an Australian College of Health Science Managers and Queensland Health broadcast on Glaucoma – the sneak thief of sight. Our panel of experts for this event includes Ophthalmologists Dr Guy D’Mellow and Dr Ken Hutchinson, Pharmacist Dr Geraldine Moses, and Optometrist Shannon Smith and chair QVI President Kady Brandon. This program will be broadcast at 12.30-1.30pm to approximately 150 Queensland Health hospitals and facilities around the state. If you are unable to view this program, and you would like a free DVD copy, please contact Jane at jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org  

QVI is also keen to list optometrists providing low vision services on the QVI website. If your practice provides low vision services, and you would like to be listed please email jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org

QVI Inc Member and Friend Activities

BLIND CITIZENS AUSTRALIA

Queensland State Convention

The 2010 BCA Queensland State Convention is being held on Magnetic Island on the weekend of 16-17 October at the All Seasons Resort.

White Cane Safety Awareness Day

A White Cane Safety Awareness Day will also be held on Friday 15 October at Townsville RSL from 12 noon. A Bundaberg Venue will be announced soon.

GLAUCOMA AUSTRALIA

National Glaucoma week 15 – 21 August 2010.
National Glaucoma Week seeks to raise awareness of the ‘silent’ eye condition – glaucoma.  It is a major cause of sight loss in Australia. About 3 percent of Australians over age 40 have glaucoma (approx. 300,000) but, because there are generally no warning signs, only about half of them have been diagnosed.  The week will encourage all Australians, once they reach the age of 40, to undertake a comprehensive eye check every two years and not to take their sight for granted.

To order brochures and posters for this upcoming awareness campaign or to seek further information, please contact Glaucoma Australia on 1800 500 880, visit www.glaucoma.org.au or email glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au

GUIDE DOGS QUEENSLAND

Guide Dogs Queensland Open Day Sunday 4 July 10am to 3pm

GDQ opens its gates to the public for a day of learning, activities and demonstrations. The day will include a 50th birthday concert with Australian idol finalist Chrislyn Hamilton, Guide dog training demonstrations, puppy parade and kennel tours and star appearances by the Police Dog Squad, RAAF Military Dogs, Bark Frisbee Dogs and Dances with Dogs Club.

Entry by Gold Coin donation or $5 to park on-site. Please leave your pets at home. For further information please visit guidedogsqld.com.au or call 1800 810 122.

4th Australasian Orientation and Mobility Conference

The 4th Australasian Orientation and Mobility Conference (AMC2010) will take place 24-26 November 2010, and will be hosted by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT at The Women's College within the University of Sydney, NSW, Australia. This is a conference for the professional development of Orientation and Mobility specialists, including Guide Dog specialists and those with a professional interest in vision impairment.

To register for AMC2010 visit www.guidedogs.com.au/amc2010 for further details and click on "Register Now!" to save with the earlybird rate.

PHARMACY GUILD

Pharmacy Women’s Congress

Each year The Pharmacy Guild of Australia hosts the Pharmacy Women’s Congress, a national event which brings together female pharmacists from around Australia to discuss the future of pharmacy. This year the Congress is being held from 20-22 August in Hobart. The major aim of the Pharmacy Women’s Congress is to inspire women pharmacists to take a more proactive approach to owning or managing their own pharmacy, and to encourage them to take positions on committees which affect the pharmacy industry. This year’s theme – “Reaching new heights: aspiring, achieving, elevating your career in pharmacy” – reflects this aim and sets the scene for an inspiring and motivating educational program, as well as a stimulating social program which will allow plenty of time for networking with delegates.

The congress will feature two and half days of conference sessions, an industry trade exhibition, Welcome Reception, Congress Dinner, optional dine-arounds and optional tours. For further details visit www.pharmacywomenscongress.com.au

QUEENSLAND NARRATING SERVICE

VIP Bookclub
The next VIP Book Club will be held on Tuesday 29 June 2010 from 10am - 12pm. The speaker is Hugh Lunn whose latest book is The Great Fletch. For more information please contact Alison on 07 3895 8555 or email qns@qns.net.au

RETINA AUSTRALIA QUEENSLAND

Rockhampton Visit

Anyone in the Rockhampton area, with an interest in inherited retinal conditions, is welcome to attend a meeting to be held at St Davids Anglican Church Hall, North Rockhampton on Thursday, 24th June. Anne Housego, secretary of Retina Australia (Qld) will be attending the ladies morning tea. Following the morning tea the hall has kindly been made available to us to have time with Retina Australia members and any other interested people. We will be able to discuss matters of interest to the blind and vision impaired community, hopefully establish some contacts and share information on subjects such as research, aids and equipment and services available. Local service providers are most welcome to attend and contribute to the day.

Please register your interest with Retina Australia at admin@retinaqld.org.au or 07 300 300 65.

SPORTING WHEELIES

Goalball

Come and try Goalball! All are welcome.

Date: Saturday 3 July

Time: 9.00 am – 12 noon

Venue: Lang Park PCYC, Level 5

Castlemaine Street, MILTON

For more details, contact Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association on 07 3253 3333.

SPEVI

VISION AUSTRALIA

Farewell event to be held at Vision Australia’s Woolloongabba site

In July of 2010, Vision Australia Queensland is moving to a purpose built state of the art facility at Coorparoo. Before heading over to the new site there will be a farewell event at our existing premises on Saturday 19 June from 11.00am – 3.00pm. Vision Australia’s Woolloongabba centre has a rich history and it holds a special place in the hearts of many members of the Queensland community. To enable a fitting farewell we are calling on your assistance to help piece together the history of this Kent Street facility.

If you can provide any stories or information or if you’d like to register your interest in attending please email peter.evans@visionaustralia.org

New Vision Australia Centre

Vision Australia is moving to the new purpose built state of the art facility at Coorparoo in early July. This brand new centre will bring an expanded range of services to Queenslanders who are blind or have low vision. Vision Australia clients are advised to contact Vision Australia on 1300 84 74 66, for more information about the move and how to get to the new centre.

Texpo 2010

Vision Australia will hold a Texpo 2010 event at the new Coorparoo centre in Brisbane from Tuesday 31 August to Wednesday 1 September. This event will showcase the latest technology and services for people who are blind or have low vision. There will be displays from a diverse range of technology suppliers, service providers, and the host of Vision Australia services - with specialist staff who will be on hand to answer your questions.

Further details will be announced closer to the date.

CONTACT INFORMATION

As always, if you have any questions regarding the work of QVI, please do not hesitate to contact Jane Fleming on 07 3391 9134 or jane.fleming@visionaustralia.org